Page 38 of Possession

An altar.

Why is it here?

For once, Aris seems genuinely uncertain. I don’t know.

Can’t you read their minds?

His frustration is clear. It’s difficult filtering the thoughts with this many people. Most of them are confused.

“Years ago, we gathered here to celebrate the return of our great deity. We gathered again to mourn his capture. Our rage at his treatment has fueled us in our tireless efforts. Finally, just weeks ago, we altered the cursed amulet of the mages and brought our Lord home. Today, we are here to free him once and for all.”

Dominachion leans down, brushing his hand against my amulet. I’m shocked by his nerve, and how his touch tingles, and I gape. I can’t see his face, but from his voice alone I know he’s smug when he pulls back, returning to his full height.

“Now, we begin,” says Dominachion.

Chapter eight

The wine makes things fuzzy as two masked men pull me from my seat, grabbing under an arm to lift me. I instinctively reach for something to anchor me in place, but all I manage to grab is a lace tablecloth. I take it with me as I’m carried away, and food, dishes, and drinks clatter to the ground; it does nothing to slow or deter them.

What is this? Aris demands. He is like a hornet buzzing inside of me.

“Let go of me!” I cry in outrage and surprise.

Suddenly squeezed against a shoulder, my chest burns as I raise my head to look around. I spot Dominachion watching me through the parts in my hair, Silva beside him with curved lips.

Frantic, my breathing quickens as I look for help, but the attendees just watch, expressions hidden behind black masks.

Did they know this was coming? What is coming?

Even Ryan stays pressed against the wall, solid as a statue. Unmoving. He swore that he would serve me. Does that mean they won’t hurt me, or is this his revenge against Aris?

As we approach the alter, I can imagine what happens next. “Stop!” I yell, even as I realize that no one is going to help me.

My spine meets the stone I’m slammed against. I shove the pain aside to get back up, but a hand on my chest pushes me back down. My head slams against rock, turning my vision to stars.

They’re hurting me! I manage to think.

Mixed with Aris’ anger is confusion. But why? They serve me. They would not hurt my body.

I don’t understand either. It’s clear that they dislike me, but I thought that they understood that we’re a package deal.

Hands go to my legs and stomach, holding me down with bruising grips, and I panic at the thought of being trapped, struggles doubling in effort. In response, they pick me up to slam me against the stone again, and this time the pain is beyond disorienting. A hand goes to my throat, squeezing to tell me what will happen if I keep resisting, and I still.

My vision is dark, tongue thick and heavy with nausea, and I feel hot from stress. Skin rubs against my own, sweaty, and despite all of this, I have a moment of clarity as I remember what Dominachion announced. Today, we are here to free him once and for all.

I realize what he means.

They’re going to kill me to release you!

I’m not sure if the repulsion I feel is his or my own. Probably his. I can’t manage much beyond terror and indignant surprise that Aris is letting this happen. And then I remember our predicament; I’m on my own.

It’s a risk for Aris to come out to protect me. And why would he? He said it himself—my death releases him.

Tell them I don’t want this! he yells, and it feels like my skull will cave in from the pressure of his rage. Or do I have a concussion

I open my mouth to convey the message, but my tongue is limp and heavy. By the time I think I have control of it, Dominachion distracts me from above. Standing, he softly tuts and he wipes at the corners of my eyes, fingers coming away back.

Dominachion’s hands move from the corners of my eyes to stroke the rest of my face, and I imagine them roaming to other places on my body.

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